CMA CGM Starts Turaf Express Service

CMA CGM, a leading worldwide shipping group, has launched a new service offer called Turaf Express that directly links Turkey, Tunisia and Libya with the company’s hub in Malta. It is the first CMA CGM line to offer a direct connection between Northern Turkey, which includes Istanbul, Gemlik and Aliaga, and the main Libyan ports of Misurata and El Khoms, developing intra-Mediterranean short sea line activity. The company’s Malta transshipment connections are offered towards worldwide markets with other group’s services. The Turaf Express service boasts the “best transit times on the market from Turkey to…

The Islamic State’s Splintering North African Network

With the self-proclaimed Islamic State besieged in Mosul and on the defensive in parts of Syria, the future of the group’s network beyond its core territory has been thrown into question. At its peak in 2014 and early 2015, the Islamic State established affiliates across the Middle East and North Africa that it labeled “provinces,” or wilayat, rapidly increasing its operational reach and influence. But with its senior leadership now facing considerable pressure in both Iraq and Syria, it is unclear whether the Islamic State will be able to maintain…

Farewell si Mohamed

Mohamed Bel Hajj Omar passed away on Monday January 30 at the age of 82. His life story depicts a long trip in political matters and in a career as Tunisia’s President of the Engineers’ Order, among the rare engineers worldwide, specialized in water resources. Si Mohamed devoted his life to the cause of democracy and freedom and to Arab issues, especially the Palestinian cause. Mohamed Bel Hajj Omar had been a Political prisoner under the regime of Bourguiba, following the famous lawsuit against the Popular Unity Movement. As a…

HoR again postpones choice of Dialogue team

Plans by the House of Representatives (HoR) to choose new members for their Libya Dialogue committee were again postponed Monday because of no quorum for the session. The reason for that, according to HoR spokesman Abdullah Bulaihak, was the continued holdout by Fezzan members over the parliament’s apparent lack of interest in the south. Fezzan members offered their apologies but were insistent their complaints be looked at properly before they re-joined, he added. The lack of a new HoR team has prevented Libyan efforts at dialogue from moving forward. The…

Four detained for smuggling arms to Iran, Libya

‘Radicalized’ Italians among suspects in probe by DDA in Naples Venice tax and finance police on Tuesday arrested four people – three Italians and a Libyan national – accused of smuggling weapons into Iran and Libya between 2011 and 2015, in a nationwide operation in Rome, Naples, Salerno and L’Aquila coordinated by the DDA anti-mafia police department in Naples. The suspects are accused of smuggling weapons including assault rifles, surface-to-air missiles and helicopters into countries subjected to an embargo without the necessary authorizations from the government. ANSA

EU remains committed to open borders during the Trump era NEW EUROPE / ALEXANDROS

In the wake of Trump’s new travel ban, the European Commission’s chief spokesperson Margaritis Schinas announced the EU’s unwavering commitment to nondiscrimination on Monday’s press briefing. “In Europe, we do not discriminate on the basis of nationality, race or religion,” Schinas said. Schinas echoed the words of European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker, who published a tweet on Sunday stating a similar sentiment. “2017 we must choose b/w isolationism, inequality and national egotism and between openness, social equality and strength through solidarity,” read Juncker’s tweet. Schinas elaborated on the EU’s values with…

Tunisia: Winstar reverses its decision to leave country

Canadian Oil Company Winstar based in the governorate of Tataouine has decided to reverse its decision and not to leave Tunisia, reports Shems Fm. It was also decided, according to the same source, to reinstate employees dismissed from Tuesday, January 31, 2017 and restore water, electricity and accommodation of employees. The decision was taken following a meeting between the regional representatives of the Tunisian General Labour Union (UGTT) and representatives of the company Winstar, in the presence of a representative of the labor inspectorate. African Manager

Morocco condemns African Union head for blocking its readmission

Morocco has accused the African Union (AU) Commission’s head, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, of blocking its efforts to re-join the Union 32 years after it departed it, the country’s foreign ministry said yesterday. Morocco is keen to return to the AU to muster support needed for its plan to offer autonomy to the disputed territory of Western Sahara, but under Moroccan sovereignty. Morocco was last a member of AU in 1984 but suspended its seat when the AU recognised the Western Sahara, formerly a Spanish protectorate, and admitted it as a member…

Tunisia needs $2.85 billion in external financing this year: finance minister

Tunisia needs around $2.85 billion in external financing this year and plans to issue a Sukuk Islamic bond worth around $500 million to help cover the deficit, Finance Minister Lamia Zribi told Reuters on Monday. Zribi also confirmed a Reuters report that Tunis plans to sell 1 billion euros’ worth of Eurobonds and hold a roadshow on Feb. 5. More Eurobond issues later in the year are possible depending on how the country’s external financing needs are covered, she said. “After a delay of a few years, our plan this…

Tunisia’s Private Sector to Receive $300m Yearly from IFC

World Bank Group-member, International Finance Corporation (IFC) targets to provide $300 million each year to the private sector in Tunisia to increase its participation in the country’s economy. “Tunisia has tremendous potential, but the government cannot drive economic growth alone,” Mouayed Makhlouf, IFC Director for the Middle East and North Africa said while announcing IFC’s support to the country in its economic transition. IFC will assist Tunisia in creating a favourable business environment for the private sector with the potential to drive innovation, create jobs and deliver the infrastructure projects…